2017-09-14
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – September 14, 2017
The meeting was called to order by President Cale Rieger in the administrative office on the above date at 7:02 p.m. with everyone present except Derrick Tice and Shannon Grover.
Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by Mila Bandel and carried.
Items on the Consent Calendar were next considered. Following review of these items, Mila Bandel moved, Chris Bracelin seconded, and it carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) The minutes of the Special Budget Hearing on August 28, 2017. 2) The list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0818040-0818052 and on checks numbering 11037-11048 on BANKWEST in the amount of $44,741.38 and checks numbering 12372-12452 on First National Bank totaling $81,650.61 for a grand total of $126,391.99. 3) The Cash Summary Report including one transfer of $0.73 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund, the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report - all as of August 31, 2017. 4) A gift offer was accepted from the Rachel Huffman family in the amount of $1,180.00 to be added to the Ray and Rachel Huffman Memorial Scholarship fund.
There were no audiences present.
There were no committee reports
Under old business, Superintendent Schiltz reviewed the final investment grade energy audit report from ESP. Superintendent Schiltz asked the board to consider the project and then make a decision at next month’s meeting on whether or not to proceed with any or all of the recommendations.
Under new business, Superintendent Schiltz presented one contract amendment for the Board’s consideration; the amendment is for Rogie Wiswell’s contract moving across on the pay scale after submitting additional credit hours. It was reported that all the remaining contracts have been returned for signature. Ted Busse has turned in his resignation from coaching junior high girls' basketball. Chris Bracelin made a motion to accept these contract amendments; motion was seconded by Ed Marin, and carried.
Superintendent Schiltz reminded the Board that USD 297 has a policy in place indicating that teachers must supply the district office official transcripts prior to October 1st, for the additional hours to count toward advancement on the salary schedule for the current year.
Superintendent Schiltz presented his thoughts and concerns regarding the financial ability of the school to increase salaries of all contracted employees effective with the November 2017 payroll. A final decision on the subject will be made at the October Board meeting.
Next, Superintendent Schiltz reviewed our existing salary schedules and new “adjusted” salary schedules for comparison. Again, no decision on the proposed schedules will be made until the October Board meeting.
The Board was informed of the new monthly Blue Cross-Blue Shield premium rates for the health-insurance group of school employees, effective with the new plan from November 1, 2017, through October 31, 2018. Information received from BCBS indicates an average decrease of 7.43% in premiums. An initial recommendation was made by Superintendent Schiltz to keep the amount paid by the school at $435/mo. for a single plan and $870/mo. for all other plans. More thought will be given to this, and it will be scheduled for the Board to consider for final approval at the October Board meeting.
A summary of the preliminary 2017-2018 school enrollment compared with the official 2016-2017 school enrollment was reviewed. The total FTE enrollment of 277 is UP 5.5 students, and headcount is DOWN 5 students at this time. The official 2017-2018 enrollment will be determined on September 20, 2017.
The KASB Region 9 Fall Education Summit will be held at the City Limits Convention Center in Colby on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If any Board members are interested in attending, they should let us know so we can make reservations.
Next, Superintendent Schiltz reviewed the possibility of adding another bus route (suburban) for the remainder of this school year. There is one long route that Jerry Whitmore, our transportation director, would like to see separated into two. The new route would be on a year-by-year basis. If we can get by in the future with four routes, that would be the preference. Nancy Warner expressed interest in a route position a couple of years ago and has agreed to drive the route upon approval by the Board. Troy Hilt made a motion to add the additional route as planned and to hire Nancy Warner as the driver on a per/trip basis; motion was seconded by Mila Bandel and carried.
Superintendent Schiltz requested that the Board decide if school in the Junior High/High School will be held on October 17, 2017. There is a League Junior High B-Team volleyball tournament scheduled for St. Francis on that day. Chris Bracelin made a motion to cancel classes for that day in the Junior High/High School; motion was seconded by Ed Marin and carried. The Grade School will have classes, and all jr. high/high school teachers and staff will have a required work day.
Next, Troy Hilt requested a 20 minute executive session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel/licensure issues, with the justification of protecting the privacy interests of the individuals being discussed, with the Board and Superintendent Schiltz. Traci Neitzel, Darla Raile, and David Morrow left the meeting. Troy Hilt made the motion at 9:00; seconded by Mila Bandel and carried. At 9:20 Troy Hilt requested an additional 15 minutes, seconded by Mila Bandel, and carried. At 9:35, Traci Neitzel, Darla Raile, and David Morrow rejoined the meeting.
Under Review of School-Improvement Process, Superintendent Schiltz reviewed with the board where USD 297 is in the process of implementing the KESA accreditation model in our schools.
No review of Board Policy.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on October 12, 2017, at 7:00 p.m.
At 9:51 p.m., Chris Bracelin moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Ed Marin and carried.
